Christian comedian goes against the grain

Marshall Allen

GLENDALE -- Vernard “Bone” Hampton knows the word “Christian” isn’t

often associated with “comedian.” It’s a reality he lives with every day,

as a comedian who’s also a Christian, and it has made his career

challenging on some occasions.

For example, some producers looking for a “young African-American

comedian” to feature in a sitcom heard of Hampton, who goes by the stage

name Bone, through his performances at Los Angeles clubs like The Laugh

Factory and The Comedy Store. At mainstream clubs, Bone’s clean material

orbits around his experiences as a substitute teacher in Glendale Unified

School District, but doesn’t highlight his faith because the audiences

don’t relate to church-based jokes.

So when the producers met with Bone and started using language and

story concepts that made him uncomfortable, Bone was sure they didn’t

know he was a Christian.

Bone told the producers he wouldn’t star in a sitcom with bad

language, smoking, drinking or premarital sex.

“Their response was ‘Next! We’ll have our people call your people

...”’ Bone said. “I think I throw ‘em for a loop because I look clean

cut, but I don’t look like a preacher.”

Bone said he doesn’t mind losing such deals.

“They don’t have a comedian they don’t want, and I don’t have to do

what I won’t do,” Bone said.

Bone, 32, got his nickname as a kid because people thought his last

name sounded like “ham bone.” He moved to Los Angeles five years ago to

pursue an acting and comedy career. He has been working steadily -- as a

substitute teacher, in minor acting roles, and on stages around the city

-- including Comics 4 Christ, a show he produces. Recently he been a

regularon the Gospel comedy circuit, opening for Jonathan Slocumb, a

nationally known Christian comedian.

It’s significantly different performing for Christian audiences, Bone

said.

“Part of the biggest fun of being a comedian is to have fun being

yourself,” Bone said. “I can riff on being a Christian.”

With secular audiences, Bone said he can’t be totally open about his

faith because the audience doesn’t get it, and he can’t go where other

comics go because “God wouldn’t like it.” That leaves him with little

common ground with audiences, compared with comedians who are less

discriminating about their acts.

“Another comic comes in with a double-barreled shotgun and I have a

pistol,” Bone said. “That’s where I gotta say, ‘It’s gotta be you, God,

because they aren’t laughin’!”’

The challenge of performing in the secular clubs makes Bone appreciate

Comics 4 Christ, a local show he produces with Christian audiences in

mind. Comics 4 Christ shows are free, but donations are taken to pay the

comedians, who are working professionals but do the show for much less

than their normal fees. Bone doesn’t pay himself for the shows, but said

his work is “a public service to anyone who wants a clean show.”

At Saturday’s Comics 4 Christ show, Bone will present a $500

scholarship to recent Hoover High school graduate Michael Little, which

has been saved from leftover donations. So far, Bone has produced 12

shows, and averages around 250 people at each.

“Church people have a great hunger for comedy they can laugh at and

not be embarrassed about,” Bone said.

IF YOU GO:

What: Comics 4 Christ.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: 180 Espresso Cafe at In His Presence Church, 11001 Ventura

Blvd., Studio City.

Cost: Free.

For more information, call (818) 761-1890.

RELIGION FACTOID

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experts assist with

geneology research at its Family History Center in La Crescenta. For more

information, call 957-0925.